Easiest Big Bike To Own

[IssanDM]

I will be in the market for a +400cc bike in the next few months. I would like to know which bikes are the easiest to own here in terms of service and parts availability? My budget will be in the 80k and under bracket.

I would also like to hear about "trouble" bikes here too. i.e. engine, drive train, or electrical systems problems.

Please state makes, models, and years of both good and bad bikes here in the kingdom.

[thaicbr]

Well as an all round easy to get spares bike, I suppose you can't beat the Honda cb400. if you look around you should find a 97 up to about 2001 for 80grand. just make sure it has a green book and the owner will go with you and transfer. pay the money once the transfer has taken place.

Allan

[AnthonyR1]

400cc in that price range will be quite old....honda cbr400, cb400, vfr400, suzuki bandit 400 all nice bikes in their day but are all out of production now. there are a lot available but like i said, old and problematic for the most part. if you can up your budget a bit kawasaki have a dealership in bkk; D- tracker is about 150k and the er6n is 225k. that is for brand new, with warranty and registration.

they also have a ninja250 which, now that i mention it may be a good used bike to look for that will come closer to your budget and much new than the old 400's.

[AnthonyR1]

pay the money once the transfer has taken place.

great advice!

allan the cb400 went out of production in 2001? i thought it was 97 but if that's the case then it's not a terribly old bike if you can find an '01 i guess

Edited March 9, 2009 by AnthonyR1

[thaicbr]

Anthony you are mistaken about the cb400. the 400 has had many remakes as you can see

The designation CB400 has appeared on six Honda motorcycles.

* 1975 to 1977 CB400F Super Sport 400 Four with a 408cc SOHC inline four linked to a 6-speed manual transmission

* 1978 CB400A Hawk Hondamatic with a 395cc 3-valve parallel twin linked to a 2-speed automatic transmission.

* 1978 to 1979 CB400TI Hawk I with a 395cc OHC, 3-valve parallel twin linked to a 5-speed manual transmission

* 1978 to 1979 CB400TII Hawk II with a 395cc OHC, 3-valve parallel twin linked to a 5-speed manual transmission

* 1980 to 1981 CB400T Hawk with a 395cc OHC, 3-valve parallel twin linked to a 6-speed manual transmission

* 1989 to 1990 CB400F (CB-1) with a 399cc DOHC inline four 4-valve liquid cooled linked to a 6-speed manual transmission

* CB-1 NC27 started in 1989

* CB-1 Type 2 NC27 in 1991

* CB 400 Super Four (PROJECT BIG-1) NC31 in 1992

* CB 400 Version R in 1995 and S in 1996

* CB 400 Four NC36 in 1997

* CB 400 Super Four - 50th Anniversarry Edition in 1998

* CB 400 Super Four / Super Bol D'Or NC39 started in 1999

* CB 400 Super Four / Super Bol D'or NC42 started in 2007

All off wiki. you can still buy a brand new 2008 cb400 in Japan. i know where a 2001 is for 80,000 and a 2003 for 120thou both farang owned and green books.

Regards Allan

[AnthonyR1]

Anthony you are mistaken about the cb400. the 400 has had many remakes as you can see

well i'm not gonna challenge that dude you seem well informed. good to know.

what about the cbr400....those were phased out in the late 90's no?

[Netfan]

If a cruiser is ok, I had a Honda Shadow 400 for a few years. Reliable, easy to work on, easy to find parts, and almost everything is interchangable with the 750, so ordering parts from US was not a problem. So comfortable to ride you can fall asleep on it, though I dont recommend it - sleeping that is.

[mrt273nva]

A few months ago i paid 80k for a Suzuki Slingshot 750cc (after greenbook transfer and a new paint job it came to about 90k). I'm more than happy with it.

[mrt273nva]

Here are a few for sale on mocyc.com

Slingshot 1100 for 73k Baht http://www.mocyc.com/store/view.php?idclassified=102569

This one is beautiful for 95k http://www.mocyc.com/store/view.php?idclassified=93438

This is similar to mine for 82k http://www.mocyc.com/store/view.php?idclassified=101764

Kawasaki ZX9 for 80k http://www.mocyc.com/store/view.php?idclassified=103287

another ZX9 for 99k http://www.mocyc.com/store/view.php?idclassified=102027

There are many more, you should browse through mocyc.com. This is how I found my bike.

[LivinLOS]

But do any of them have papers ??

Pics dont show a numberplate in all five of them !!!

[mrt273nva]

But do any of them have papers ??

Pics dont show a numberplate in all five of them !!!

the ZX9's probably don't. I would imagine that the slingshots do have papers. Mine is registered and all up to date.

[LivinLOS]

Imagine away.. None seem to have them pictured..

Sounds much more like you got a deal.. 750's with books at those prices are hard to find.. 120 - 150 more nromal IMO.

If I had 80k to spend and no bike I had my eye on.. I would put a 75 downpayment and take the credit on an ER6.. The drip a month is small enough to not notice and its a brand new shiny 600 in the driveway.. The drop of the credit would balance out against headache and hassle of finding bits and repairing any 80k bike somchai has been working on.

[mrt273nva]

Imagine away.. None seem to have them pictured..

Sounds much more like you got a deal.. 750's with books at those prices are hard to find.. 120 - 150 more nromal IMO.

If I had 80k to spend and no bike I had my eye on.. I would put a 75 downpayment and take the credit on an ER6.. The drip a month is small enough to not notice and its a brand new shiny 600 in the driveway.. The drop of the credit would balance out against headache and hassle of finding bits and repairing any 80k bike somchai has been working on.

what does the monthly payment work out to be? i've thought about getting an ER6 myself.

[LivinLOS]

It was cheap.. I cant remember but it put the cost of the bike up by only 20 or 30k IIRC.. And spread it over years so made payments in the mid 4 digits range a month.. Less than my elecy bill !!

Also he made it 100% clear no need for a Thai nominee, no work permit needed.. Only long stay visa.

I might have posted it but if not I can ask next time I pass over there.

[mrt273nva]

It was cheap.. I cant remember but it put the cost of the bike up by only 20 or 30k IIRC.. And spread it over years so made payments in the mid 4 digits range a month.. Less than my elecy bill !!

Also he made it 100% clear no need for a Thai nominee, no work permit needed.. Only long stay visa.

I might have posted it but if not I can ask next time I pass over there.

I was hearing that you can do similar finance on something like a ZX10. I'm sure it would be a bit more, but probably not by much.

I'll have to go down to the Kawasaki dealership and work out all the numbers.

In the mean time though I am enjoying my Suzuki, but it would be nice to have a brand spanking new bike.

[jrbkk64]

ER6-N down 75,000 and 24 x 7,???

[LivinLOS]

My memory says 75 down and 5000 x 36..

But I have damaged many brain cells over the years so dont bet on it.. Go ask someone who can confirm..

[eljeque]

A few months ago i paid 80k for a Suzuki Slingshot 750cc (after greenbook transfer and a new paint job it came to about 90k). I'm more than happy with it.

What year is it? It looks to be in good shape for out the door 90K

[LivinLOS]

My memory says 75 down and 5000 x 36..

But I have damaged many brain cells over the years so dont bet on it.. Go ask someone who can confirm..

Just asked.. 75 down and 6k per month for 36 months.. So 75 and 216 for 291 total over 3 years.. Sure it was a different combo last time ?!?

Also he said 8k for insurance but then said 80k downpayment gets first year insurance, so that brings the downpayment down to 72k ?? A semi freebie ??

Hes got the orange on in at the moment.. Looks tasty !!

Edited March 10, 2009 by LivinLOS

[mrt273nva]

A few months ago i paid 80k for a Suzuki Slingshot 750cc (after greenbook transfer and a new paint job it came to about 90k). I'm more than happy with it.

What year is it? It looks to be in good shape for out the door 90K

it is a 92 but it has K1 fairings with a K3 paint scheme. It runs great, however i did have to get an O-ring changed, but that was no big deal. I just rode to Kao Yai and back this week on it. The only thing that I don't like about it is that for longer trips the vibration really does a number on my hands. I also wish I had a bit more torque in the high end for when I'm going 180+, but I guess a 750 is more of a mid range bike anyway.

80-90k baht with registration is about the going rate for these bikes.

[JimsKnight]

180kph a go-go is more than plenty!

Got my cbr400 fror 75k w/ book and plate.

Plenty of spares a go-go as well.

For me it's that bike along with a CB400, parts are often interchangeable between the two.

Suzuki Slingshot sounds cool, haven't seen many buzzing about though.

[Richard-BKK]

Sorry I ready this tread for some time, to my definition the easiest bike to own is the bike you can buy the easiest parts for. The Honda CB400 in all its flavors do not match this criteria, basically with all its yearly and specific releases... it is one of the worst motorcycles to source accurate parts within Thailand.

The easiest motorcycles is to my experience Kawasaki, a complete "I never touched a big bike" mechanic received overnight the right equipment and likely the instructions to repair my Kawasaki Vulcan 900 without a glitch. After my trip I went in to Rama 9 Kawasaki service HQ to let them check the repair and they smiled and give the all fine.

Knowing the dealer in this rural city, I know from what he told me, he never saw a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 before, so Kawasaki did some express delivery of mechanics or they told him by telephone what to do.....

[thaicbr]

Richard i dont think the Kawa is in the op's stated price range.... its out by over 400thou baht.

[Richard-BKK]

Hi Thaicbr,

I agree, the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 new price of +/460,000 Baht will offset, the helpful part. But what is a acceptable, I have several friends who ride a motorcycle called Honda CB400, all cannot exchange engine parts as they are all build in different years. Thai "unofficial dealers" seem to keep stock of some parts, but to what my experience is this stock is limited to most common parts, parts that all years share together, or at least a large group share. IF you specific looking for, lets say a CB400 (super four 2007) cylinder gasket you could get a surprising answer of waiting 2 to 3 months before repair is completed.

[JimsKnight]

No way man, I had the fork seal blow on my CBR 400 and engine finications.

Pulled into Petchaburi, back street boys workshop and they had a spare fork seal there and then for it.

Oil specifics, filters are available whenever I've needed them.

CBR parts not available in the provinces?? Can be sourced from Bangkok. transport bike to capital or get parts sent in, either or really.

If you smash a CBR to pieces and need a refix, no probs, just wait 2 - 3 weeks for the parts to arrive from a boat from Japan.

Engine replacement if it seizes or blows (unlikely as Honda engines are tough beasts, make sure you oil change every 3000 km with Mobil Grade 5W 50, available for 1900 baht plus filter for 200 baht) source parts from japan.

The only barrier is the money you have to get it fixed.

I spend the cash on oil changes every 3000 km, my CBR <touch wood> is still going strong and I've toured all over Thailand.

The biggest navigator on bike problems is to have a sht hot mechanic who specialises in the bike of your choice. I've been lucky so far my mechy of choice is a CBR specialist and is an oracle on such things.

If I have a problem and the garage I'm in is a bit oooh errr. I call the oracle and he straightens them out on the idiosyncracies of CBRmanship

[LivinLOS]

Sorry I ready this tread for some time, to my definition the easiest bike to own is the bike you can buy the easiest parts for. The Honda CB400 in all its flavors do not match this criteria, basically with all its yearly and specific releases... it is one of the worst motorcycles to source accurate parts within Thailand.

The easiest motorcycles is to my experience Kawasaki, a complete "I never touched a big bike" mechanic received overnight the right equipment and likely the instructions to repair my Kawasaki Vulcan 900 without a glitch. After my trip I went in to Rama 9 Kawasaki service HQ to let them check the repair and they smiled and give the all fine.

Knowing the dealer in this rural city, I know from what he told me, he never saw a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 before, so Kawasaki did some express delivery of mechanics or they told him by telephone what to do.....

I also advised Kwaker simple becuase of the parts chain.. But dissagree that CB400 is hard to get parts.. hel_l all kind of bits for them are easy to find.. K-speed has loads on thier website.. They are so common / popular with Thais that bits for the hondas are almost no problem.

Start getting away from the big name jap makes and see how you do ??? Bimota anyone ?? MV augusta ?? I means jeez !! I had enough hassle with a dam_n bandit !!

[thaicbr]

Talking about the dam_n bandit. you still got it. i might need a front end from one.

Allan

[LivinLOS]

Talking about the dam_n bandit. you still got it. i might need a front end from one.

Allan

Nothing got changed.. Been distracted with the blade for any spare work time..

The mechanic has a line on replacement pistons if I can get the head cracked open.. Not worth breaking it really.

[thaicbr]

ok if you hear of a complete front end let me know. Thanks mate.

Allan

[LivinLOS]

Some Thai lads had an unregged one.. I thought they were buying mine for the frame / book.. Will see if I cant suss it out.

then again its a working bike so might be more valuable to them than just forks ??